Method and apparatus for monitoring temperature of intravenously delivered fluids and other medical items

ABSTRACT

An intravenous solution bag includes a temperature sensing device in the form of a temperature sensing strip. The strip includes a temperature scale and corresponding temperature sensitive substances that change color or illuminate the scale indicators to visually indicate solution temperature. The strip may be formed integral with the bag, may be attached to the bag exterior surface, may be laminated to the bag exterior surface or may be encased with the bag within a solution bag liner. Further, the temperature sensing strip may be affixed to bottles containing intravenous or other solutions, where the strip is attached to the bottle exterior surface or to a label affixed to the bottle to measure and indicate temperature of fluid contained therein as described above. Moreover, the temperature sensing strip may be employed by a receptacle or delivery tube of an infusion apparatus to measure and indicate solution temperature prior to or during infusion. In addition, the temperature sensing strip may be disposed within thermal treatment system compartments to measure and provide a visual indication of medical item temperatures. Alternatively, the strip may be employed by a stand, plate, receptacle or other structure receiving a medical item or container to provide a temperature measurement and indication as described above. The structure may be a stand-alone unit or may be attached to a thermal treatment or other system to facilitate temperature measurement.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/126,874, entitled “Method and Apparatus forMonitoring Temperature of Intravenously Delivered Fluids” and filed Mar.30, 1999, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention pertains to temperature sensing andmonitoring systems. In particular, the present invention pertains tosystems for measuring and displaying the temperature of intravenouslydelivered fluids and other medical items.

[0004] 2. Discussion of Relevant Art

[0005] Intravenously delivered fluids and other medical items aregenerally required to have temperatures within specific temperatureranges in order to avoid serious injury to a patient. Although thereexist warming systems to heat items to their corresponding temperatureranges, medical personnel generally do not have a manner in which toascertain temperature of the items once the items have been removed fromthose systems. In addition, medical personnel generally do not have amanner in which to ascertain fluid temperature during infusion into apatient. The relevant art has attempted to overcome these problems byproviding a manner in which to measure and indicate temperature offluids prior to delivery to a patient. For example, U.S. Pat. No.522,866 (Weinhagen et al), U.S. Pat. No. 803,352 (Meyer) and U.S. Pat.No. 2,204,764 (Mayo) disclose containers having thermometers attachedthereto for indicating the temperature of fluid residing in thecontainers. The containers are constructed to enable the thermometerbulb to access the fluid for temperature measurement.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 3,864,976 (Parker) discloses a laminated digitalthermometer secured to a container, such as a wine bottle or a babybottle, for determining the temperature of a fluid contained therein.The thermometer is in the form of a digital thermometer strip providinga specific digital temperature indication of fluid within the container.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,859,360 (Suzuki et al) discloses a blood baghaving a temperature-monitoring device in the form of a tag or labeladhered to the bag outer surface. The temperature-monitoring deviceincludes plural reversible temperature indicators each associated with aspecific temperature range to indicate a current temperature of theblood, and an irreversible temperature indicator to indicate that theblood has currently or previously reached a predetermined temperature.The reversible indicators individually provide visual indications inresponse to the current blood temperature being within a correspondingrange, while the irreversible indicator maintains a visual indicationonce the predetermined temperature has been reached.

[0008] With respect to ascertaining fluid temperature during infusion,U.S. Pat. No. 3,651,695 (Brown) discloses a temperature indicator forfluid conduits that changes color in response to temperature. A colorreference chart is provided adjacent the indicator to indicate thetemperatures corresponding to the color variations.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,528 (Magliochetti) discloses an irrigationfluid delivery system including a fluid delivery tube having atemperature sensing device for measuring and providing a visualindication of the fluid temperature prior to delivery to a patient. Thetemperature sensing device is disposed in the tube in stripe form andtypically exhibits at least one color change in response to a change intemperature to indicate fluid temperature.

[0010] The relevant art suffers from several disadvantages. Inparticular, the Weinhagen et al, Meyer and Mayo devices require specialattachment mechanisms to affix thermometers to containers, while thecontainers are configured to provide the thermometers with access to thefluid, thereby increasing complexity and cost of these systems. Further,in the case of medical or sterile fluids, these systems enhance thepossibility of fluid contamination, thereby risking injury to a patient.Moreover, since the thermometers tend to be rigid and fragile, thethermometers may be easily damaged during transport and/or storage ofthe containers. In addition, thermometer temperature indications tend tobe difficult to read, thereby requiring additional time and complicatingascertainment of the fluid temperature.

[0011] Although the Parker and Suzuki et al temperature devices are lessintrusive and display a specific digital temperature indication of afluid, these devices operate within a narrow temperature range. Thus,the Parker and Suzuki et al temperature devices are limited inapplication to fluids having acceptable temperatures within a specificand narrow temperature range. If a fluid temperature extends beyond thatnarrow range, these devices do not provide a manner in which to indicatethat temperature.

[0012] The Brown and Magliochetti systems do not provide a specifictemperature indication. Rather, these systems employ color indicationsrequiring users to reference or recollect the temperature color scheme,thereby requiring additional time and complicating ascertainment offluid temperature.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to measureand numerically indicate a temperature of intravenously delivered fluidsvia a temperature sensing strip prior to delivery to a patient.

[0014] It is another object of the present invention to measure andnumerically indicate a temperature of intravenously delivered fluidsresiding within containers (e.g., bags, bottles, etc.) via a temperaturesensing strip attached to and in thermal relation with the container.

[0015] Yet another object of the present invention is to measure andnumerically indicate a temperature of intravenous fluids during infusionto a patient via a temperature sensing strip attached to and in thermalrelation with a fluid delivery tube.

[0016] Still another object of the present invention is to measure andvisually indicate temperature of medical containers via a stand, plate,receptacle or other structure employing a temperature sensing strip.

[0017] A further object of the present invention is to measure andvisually indicate temperature of medial items within a thermal treatmentsystem via temperature sensitive strips residing within thermaltreatment system compartments.

[0018] The aforesaid objects are achieved individually and/or incombination, and it is not intended that the present invention beconstrued as requiring two or more of the objects to be combined unlessexpressly required by the claims attached hereto.

[0019] According to the present invention, an intravenous solution bagincludes a temperature sensing device in the form of a temperaturesensing strip. The strip includes a temperature scale and correspondingtemperature sensitive substances that change color or illuminate thescale indicators to visually indicate solution temperature. The stripmay be formed integral with the bag, may be attached to the bag exteriorsurface, may be laminated to the bag exterior surface or may be encasedwith the bag within a solution bag liner. Further, the temperaturesensing strip may be affixed to bottles containing intravenous or othersolutions, where the strip is attached to the bottle exterior surface orto a label affixed to the bottle to measure and indicate temperature offluid contained therein as described above. Moreover, the temperaturesensing strip may be employed by an infusion apparatus to measure andindicate solution temperature prior to or during infusion. In this case,the strip may be affixed to a receptacle suspending a solution bag, orto a fluid delivery tube to measure and indicate temperature asdescribed above. In addition, the temperature sensing strip may bedisposed within thermal treatment system compartments to measure andprovide a visual indication of temperatures of medical items residingwithin the compartments.

[0020] Alternatively, the strip may be employed by a stand, plate,receptacle or other structure receiving a medical item or container. Theitem is placed in the structure in thermal relation with the strip tofacilitate a temperature measurement and indication as described above.The structure may be a stand-alone unit or may be attached to a thermaltreatment or other system to facilitate temperature measurement.

[0021] The above and still further objects, features and advantages ofthe present invention will become apparent upon consideration of thefollowing detailed description of specific embodiments thereof,particularly when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawingswherein like reference numerals in the various figures are utilized todesignate like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022]FIG. 1 is a view in elevation of an intravenous solution baghaving a temperature sensing device disposed on the bag exterior surfacefor measuring and displaying the temperature of solution containedwithin the bag according to the present invention.

[0023]FIG. 2 is a view in elevation of an intravenous solution baghaving a temperature sensing device laminated to the bag exteriorsurface for measuring and displaying the temperature of solutioncontained within the bag according to the present invention.

[0024]FIG. 3 is a view in elevation of an intravenous solution bagdisposed within a liner, whereby a temperature sensing device isattached to the bag or liner, or disposed between the bag and liner, formeasuring and displaying the temperature of solution contained withinthe bag according to the present invention.

[0025]FIG. 4 is a view in elevation of a medical bottle having atemperature sensing device disposed on the bottle exterior surface formeasuring and displaying the temperature of the bottle contentsaccording to the present invention.

[0026]FIG. 5 is a view in elevation of a medical bottle having atemperature sensing device disposed on the bottle label for measuringand displaying the temperature of the bottle contents according to thepresent invention.

[0027]FIG. 6 is a view in perspective of a pressurized infusion systemsuspended from an intravenous pole, whereby a solution bag receptacleand/or an intravenous tube may include a temperature sensing device formeasuring and displaying the temperature of solution contained withinthe bag or traversing the tube according to the present invention.

[0028]FIG. 7 is a side view in perspective of the pressurized infusionsystem of FIG. 6.

[0029]FIG. 8 is a front view in elevation of a warming system employingtemperature sensing devices to measure and display the temperature ofmedical items contained within system compartments according to thepresent invention.

[0030]FIG. 9 is an exploded view in perspective of a temperature standemploying a temperature sensing device to measure and display thetemperature of a medical item according to the present invention.

[0031]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a medical item disposed withinthe stand of FIG. 9.

[0032]FIG. 11A is a perspective view of a temperature plate employing atemperature sensing device to measure and display temperature of fluidwithin a solution bag according to the present invention.

[0033]FIG. 11B is a bottom view in partial section of the temperatureplate of FIG. 11A.

[0034]FIG. 12A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of thetemperature plate of FIG. 11A to measure and display temperature offluid within a solution bottle.

[0035]FIG. 12B is a top view in partial section of the temperature plateof FIG. 12A.

[0036]FIG. 13 is a front view in elevation of a temperature receptacleemploying a temperature sensing device to measure and displaytemperature of fluid within a container according to the presentinvention.

[0037]FIG. 14 is a view in perspective of the temperature stand of FIG.9 coupled to a warming system side wall according to the presentinvention.

[0038]FIG. 15 is a view in perspective of the temperature stand of FIG.9 disposed on a warming system top surface according to the presentinvention.

[0039]FIG. 16 is a view in perspective of the temperature stand of FIG.9 operating as a stand-alone unit and disposed proximate a warmingsystem according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0040] An intravenous solution bag having a temperature sensing devicedisposed on an intravenous solution bag exterior surface in accordancewith the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. Specifically,intravenous solution bag 2 is preferably implemented by a conventionalintravenous solution bag and constructed of plastic or other materialscommonly utilized for forming those types of bags. The solution bag maycontain various types of solutions, such as saline solution, blood,antibiotic or other drugs, or any other intravenously administeredsolution. Intravenous solution bag 2 further includes a generallytriangular projection 4 attached to and extending from the bag upperportion. Projection 4 preferably includes a truncated upper portionhaving an opening or hole 6 defined therein for interfacing anintravenous pole or other support structure (not shown). The bag lowerportion includes an outlet 7 and associated fluid conduits 15 tointerface an intravenous tube (not shown) and enable the solution toflow through the tube from the outlet to a patient.

[0041] Generally, intravenous solutions are required to be within aspecific temperature range during infusion to avoid injury to a patient.For example, fluids intravenously administered to a patient aretypically required to have a temperature near the patient bodytemperature approximately in the range of 86° F.-104° F. In order tomonitor the temperature of the intravenous solution, intravenoussolution bag 2 further includes a temperature sensing device, preferablyin the form of a temperature sensing strip 8. Temperature sensing strip8 is substantially rectangular and includes a temperature scale 9arranged in a vertical fashion to measure and display a solutiontemperature in the approximate range of 50° F.-150° F. The temperaturescale typically includes numerical indicators 10 arranged in sequentialorder, whereby each indicator represents a ten degree temperatureinterval (e.g. 50° F., 60°, 70° F., 80° F., 90° F., 100° F., 110° F.,120° F., 130° F., 140° F. and 150° F.).

[0042] The temperature sensing strip preferably includes a series oftemperature sensitive substances that provides visual color changes toor illuminates the temperature scale indicators to display a solutiontemperature. In particular, each temperature scale indicator 10 istypically associated with a temperature sensitive substance having aparticular temperature threshold range corresponding to that indicator.When the solution temperature is within the threshold temperature rangeof a substance, that substance changes color or illuminates theassociated temperature scale indicator to display the solutiontemperature. For example, if the solution has a temperature of 90° F.,then only the temperature scale indicator representing a ninety degreetemperature changes color or becomes illuminated to visually display thesolution temperature. The temperature thresholds may be adjusted in anymanner to enable a single or a plurality of temperature scale indicatorsto be illuminated in response to a solution temperature residing betweensuccessive temperature scale indicators. Further, the temperaturethresholds may be set to illuminate a successive indicator (e.g., a 60°F. indicator may be set to illuminate at any temperature between 50°F.-60° F.).

[0043] The temperature sensing strip is preferably implemented by aconventional temperature strip having common temperature sensitivesubstances (e.g., a liquid crystal composition), such as the types ofsubstances disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,651,695 (Brown), U.S. Pat. No.3,861,213 (Parker), U.S. Pat. No. 3,864,976 (Parker), U.S. Pat. No.4,859,360 (Suzuki et al) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,528 (Magliochetti). Thedisclosures of the foregoing patents are incorporated herein byreference in their entireties. The temperature sensing strip may beformed integral with the solution bag, or be attached to the solutionbag exterior surface at any suitable location via any conventional orother fastening techniques (e.g., adhesives, pressure heating,lamination, etc.). In addition, the temperature sensing strip may be ofany size or shape, may sense any desired temperatures, and may include atemperature scale arranged in any fashion and having any type ofindicators (e.g., alphanumeric or other characters) representing anytemperature intervals or other information for any desired temperaturerange. Alternatively, the temperature sensing strip may be configuredwith or without a temperature scale and may change to various colors,such as red, green and blue, based on the solution temperature toindicate that the solution temperature is above, within or below thespecified range, respectively.

[0044] In operation, the temperature sensing strip is disposed on asolution-filled bag to measure and display solution temperature. The bagis typically thermally treated to attain the desired temperature foradministration to a patient, whereby temperature sensing strip 8measures and displays the solution temperature during thermal treatmentas described above. Once the solution reaches the desired temperature,the intravenous solution bag may be suspended from an intravenous poleor other structure and connected to an intravenous tube to facilitateinfusion of the solution from the bag to a patient. Alternatively, thebag may be heated to the desired temperature while being suspended fromthe intravenous pole as described below. During infusion, temperaturesensing strip 8 measures the solution temperature and displays it tomedical personnel to ensure that the infused solution is within theappropriate temperature range.

[0045] An intravenous solution bag having a laminated layer to attachthe temperature sensing device to the bag is illustrated in FIG. 2.Intravenous solution bag 2 and temperature sensing strip 8 aresubstantially similar to the solution bag and temperature stripdescribed above, except that temperature sensing strip 8 is laminated tothe solution bag exterior surface. Specifically, the temperature sensingstrip is disposed proximate the exterior surface of the bag at anysuitable location, while an additional layer of material 12 is placedover the strip. The material is preferably laminated or otherwiseattached to the bag exterior surface such that the temperature sensingstrip is attached to the bag and disposed between the bag and laminatedlayer. The laminated layer material may be constructed of any type ofplastic or other suitable materials (e.g., material of the type utilizedto form the solution bag), and may be laminated or attached to the bagvia any conventional or other fastening techniques (e.g., pressurizedheating techniques, etc.). Further, the laminated layer material may beof any shape or size sufficient to attach the temperature sensing stripto the bag, while being sufficiently transparent to enable viewing ofthe displayed temperature on the temperature sensing strip. Thetemperature sensing strip measures and displays the temperature of thesolution contained within the bag as described above.

[0046] Alternatively, intravenous solution bag 2 may be encased in aliner or receptacle, while the temperature sensing device may beattached either to the bag or liner or disposed between the bag andliner as illustrated in FIG. 3. Specifically, intravenous solution bag 2and temperature sensing strip 8 are substantially similar to thesolution bag and temperature strip described above, except that thesolution bag is disposed within a liner or receptacle 14. Liner 14 maybe constructed of any type of plastic or other suitable materials (e.g.,materials of the type utilized to form the solution bag), and preferablyhas dimensions slightly greater than the dimensions of solution bag 2 toreceive and house the solution bag.

[0047] Liner 14 is preferably sealed along its edges via anyconventional or other fastening techniques, whereby the sealed linerinsulates the solution bag from ambient air temperature, therebyfacilitating a temperature measurement with enhanced accuracy. Thetemperature sensing strip may be disposed in various fashions internalor external of the liner to provide a temperature indication. Forexample, the temperature sensing strip may be attached to or formedintegral with the intravenous solution bag as described above, wherebythe solution bag and temperature sensing strip are inserted within liner14 to facilitate measurement and display of the solution temperature.Liner 14 is sufficiently transparent to enable medical personnel toreadily view the solution temperature displayed on the temperaturesensing strip through the liner to ascertain the solution temperature.

[0048] Further, the temperature sensing strip may be disposed betweenthe solution bag exterior surface and the interior surface of liner 14,whereby the strip is unattached to either the solution bag or liner.Basically, the expansion of the solution bag within the liner enablesthe liner to press the temperature sensing strip against the solutionbag to measure and display the solution temperature. Moreover, thetemperature sensing strip may be attached to or formed integral with theinterior or exterior surface of the liner via any conventional or otherfastening techniques to measure and display the solution temperature asdescribed above. In addition, the temperature sensing strip may bedisposed at any location on or between the solution bag and linercapable of enabling the temperature sensing strip to provide thesolution temperature.

[0049] In operation, the intravenous solution bag and temperaturesensing strip function in substantially the same manner described above,except that liner 14 is opened in order to connect the intravenoussolution bag to an intravenous tube and facilitate infusion of thesolution from the bag to a patient.

[0050] Intravenous or other solutions may further be contained withinbottles, whereby the bottles may be utilized for storing andadministering intravenous solutions (e.g., saline solution, blood,antibiotics or other drugs, etc.) or other medical items (e.g., drugsadministered via a syringe or other technique, etc.). The bottles may bethermally treated to maintain the contained items within theircorresponding temperature ranges (e.g., intravenous solutions aretypically required to be administered near body temperatureapproximately in the range of 86° F.-104° F., while certain drugs aretypically required to be stored and administered near room temperaturein the approximate range of 70° F.-79° F.). Since administration ofsolutions or other medical items outside their temperature range maycause injury to a patient, it is important that the item temperatures beknown prior to or during use.

[0051] Accordingly, a medical bottle having a temperature sensing deviceto measure and display the temperature of solution or other medicalitems contained within the bottle is illustrated in FIG. 4.Specifically, a bottle 16 for containing a solution or other medicalitems includes a container portion 19, a removable cap 22, a temperaturesensing device in the form of a temperature sensing strip 8 and a label18. Container portion 19 is generally cylindrical and includes a taperedupper portion forming a generally cylindrical neck 20. The neckpreferably has dimensions substantially less than the dimensions of thecontainer portion, and includes a collar 24 and a threaded spout (notshown). The spout is disposed at the neck distal end and includes aseries of threads (not shown) to engage cap 22. Collar 24 is attached toand about the neck proximally of the spout and extends outward from theneck exterior surface to serve as a gripping portion and stop forgrasping the bottle and guiding placement of cap 22 onto the bottle,respectively. Cap 22 is generally cylindrical and includes threadsformed in the cap interior surface that engage the spout threads toremovably attach the cap to the bottle.

[0052] Label 18 is typically attached to the container portion exteriorsurface and includes information pertaining to the contents of thebottle. Temperature sensing strip 8 is substantially similar to thetemperature strip described above and is attached to the containerportion exterior surface adjacent label 18. However, the label andtemperature sensing strip may be disposed on or formed integral with thebottle at any suitable location via any conventional or other fasteningtechniques. In operation, the bottle may be thermally treated andutilized for intravenous infusion, storage and/or administration ofdrugs or supplying items for various medical procedures, while thetemperature sensing strip measures and displays the solution or othermedical item temperature in substantially the same manner describedabove.

[0053] The temperature sensing device may alternatively be disposed onor formed integral with a bottle label as illustrated in FIG. 5.Specifically, bottle 16 and temperature sensing strip 8 aresubstantially similar to the bottle and temperature strip describedabove, except that the temperature sensing strip includes a narrower andmore precise temperature scale and is disposed on the label. Thetemperature sensing strip may be attached to or formed integral with thelabel via any conventional or other fastening techniques. The dimensionsof the temperature sensing strip are preferably less than the labeldimensions in order to enable the temperature sensing strip to fitwithin the label confines. Further, the temperature scale rangeindicated on the temperature sensing strip may be reduced to accommodatethe reduced size of the strip.

[0054] The temperature sensing strip, by way of example only, displaystemperatures in the approximate range of 85° F.-110° F., whereby eachtemperature scale indicator represents a successive five degreetemperature interval (e.g., 85° F., 90° F., 95° F., 100° F., 105° F. and110° F.). However, the label and temperature sensing strip may be of anysize or shape, while the temperature scale may include any indicatorsfor representing any sized intervals in any desired temperature range.The temperature sensing strip measures and displays the solution ormedical item temperature in substantially the same manner describedabove. Alternatively, the label may be constructed of temperature stripmaterial such that the label may change to various colors, such as red,green and blue, based on the solution or medical item temperature torespectively indicate that the solution or medical item temperature isabove, within or below the desired temperature range as described above.

[0055] The temperature sensing strip may be further utilized duringinfusion of intravenous solution to a patient as illustrated in FIGS.6-7. Specifically, a pressurized infusion system 30 is typically mountedon a conventional intravenous (IV) pole 32 and includes a receptacle 34for containing intravenous solution or other liquid and engaging pole32, a pressure gauge 36, an inflatable pressure device or bellows 38, abulb 40 for regulating fluid pressure within the bellows via a hose 21,and an intravenous or other tube 42 for directing liquid from thereceptacle to a patient. The pressurized infusion system may be of thetypes disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/380,507, entitled“Method and Apparatus for Pressure Infusion and Temperature Control ofInfused Liquids” and filed Sep. 3, 1999, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Receptacle 34typically receives an intravenous solution bag 3 (e.g., a bag containingintravenous solution or other liquid, however, a solution bottle maysimilarly be employed) and bellows 38, whereby the bellows is disposedwithin a bellows bag 44 and positioned adjacent the intravenous solutionbag. Hose 21 extends between bellows 38 and bulb 40, wherebymanipulation of the bulb drives fluid into or from the bellows throughhose 21. Inflation of bellows 38 via bulb 40 enables the bellows toexpand within bellows bag 44 and apply pressure to intravenous solutionbag 3, thereby driving liquid from the intravenous solution bag throughtube 42 to a patient. Bulb 40 includes a valve 46 to release fluid frombellows 38 such that the bulb may add or reduce pressure applied by thebellows to intravenous solution bag 3 based on pressure levels withinthe bellows indicated by pressure gauge 36.

[0056] Receptacle 34 is constructed of a substantially transparentmaterial and includes a compartment or storage area 23 and a generallytriangular projection 48 extending from the upper portion of thecompartment to engage pole 32. The compartment is in the form of asubstantially rectangular bag having an open top potion and includesdimensions greater than the combined dimensions of intravenous solutionbag 3 and bellows bag 44 (i.e., containing bellows 38) in order toreceive these items. The front portion of compartment 23 includes flaps50, 52 that are fastened together via a zipper 33 or any other fasteningdevice. Generally triangular projection 48 extends from the upper backportion of compartment 23 and includes a loop 56 disposed toward theupper portion of a rear exterior surface of the projection. Loop 56engages pole 32 to enable receptacle 34 to be attached to the pole.

[0057] System 30 may further include a heater or heating element to heatintravenous solution bag 3 for pressurized infusion of heated liquidinto a patient. Specifically, a heater or heating element 62 andconductive plate 64 may be disposed within a pocket of bellows bag 44such that the heating element and conductive plate are located adjacentintravenous solution bag 3. The conductive plate is disposed between theheating element and intravenous solution bag, whereby inflation ofbellows 38 presses the conductive plate against the intravenous solutionbag to apply heat from the heating element to the liquid containedwithin that bag. A substantially rectangular control box 58 is mountedon pole 32 and includes circuitry to control power supplied to theheating element. Control box 58 receives power from a common wall outletjack via a power cord 60.

[0058] Temperature sensing device 8 is disposed on system 30 and issubstantially similar to the temperature strips described above, exceptthat the temperature sensing device includes a configuration wheretemperature scale 9 has duplicate temperature scale indicators 10 foreach temperature level with corresponding temperature sensitivesubstances disposed between the duplicate scale indicators. Thetemperature sensitive substances illuminate or change color as describedabove to enable the corresponding scale indicators to indicate asolution temperature. By way of example only, temperature sensing device8 displays temperatures in the range of 70° F.-110° F., whereby theduplicate temperature scale indicators 10 for each level represent asuccessive ten degree temperature interval (e.g., 70° F., 80° F., 90°F., 100° F. and 110° F.). However, the temperature sensing device may beof any size or shape, while the temperature scale may include anyquantity or types of indicators for representing any sized intervals inany desired temperature range.

[0059] The temperature sensing device may be disposed in variousfashions to measure and display the solution temperature during heatingand/or pressurized infusion. For example, the temperature sensing stripmay be attached to or formed integral with intravenous solution bag 3 asdescribed above, whereby the solution bag and temperature sensing stripare disposed within receptacle 34 to facilitate pressurized infusion toa patient, while displaying the solution temperature to medicalpersonnel (e.g., viewable through the receptacle). Further, thetemperature sensing strip may be disposed at any location between thesolution bag exterior surface and the receptacle interior surface,whereby the temperature sensing strip is unattached to the solution bagor receptacle. Basically, the expansion of the solution bag enables thereceptacle to press the temperature sensing strip against the solutionbag to measure and display the solution temperature (e.g., viewablethrough the receptacle). Moreover, the temperature sensing strip may beattached to or formed integral with the interior (e.g., viewable throughthe receptacle) or exterior surfaces of receptacle flaps 50, 52 (e.g.,as shown in FIG. 6) at any location via any conventional or otherfastening techniques. In addition, the temperature sensing strip may beattached to an infusion cuff, or may be disposed about, attached to orformed integral with tube 42 at any location, via any conventional orother fastening techniques to measure and display the solutiontemperature near the entry site or within the tube, respectively.

[0060] Additionally, the temperature sensing strip may be utilized withsystems that thermally treat a solution or other medical items (e.g.,instruments, blankets, bottles, drugs/antibiotics, etc.) to measure andprovide a temperature indication for the items as illustrated, by way ofexample only, in FIG. 8. Specifically, intravenous solution bags orother medical items are typically heated to the temperature rangesappropriate for their contents (e.g., solutions, drugs, etc.) by awarmer system 70. The warmer system may be of the types disclosed inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/419,664, entitled “TemperatureControl System and Method for Heating and Maintaining Medical Items atDesired Temperatures” and filed Oct. 15, 1999, the disclosure of whichis incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. System 70 includesa cabinet or system housing 74 having substantially similar drawers 76a, 76 b for enabling placement and removal of medical items, such asintravenous solution bags, within the system and correspondingcontrollers 72 for individually controlling heating of the drawers tomaintain the bags at the same or different desired temperatures.

[0061] Drawers 76 a, 76 b are generally disposed in vertical alignmentin a cabinet front wall, while controllers 72 are each disposed in thecabinet front wall adjacent a corresponding drawer 76 a, 76 b and powerswitch 73. Each controller 72 enables entry of a desired or set pointtemperature associated with a corresponding drawer and controls heatingof intravenous solution bags residing within the corresponding drawerbased on the associated desired temperature. Each power switch 73 isgenerally disposed below a corresponding controller 72 and enables powerto that controller for heating intravenous solution bags disposed withinthe corresponding drawer.

[0062] The drawers each include a front wall or door 78, and rear,bottom and side walls (not shown). The drawer walls are eachsubstantially rectangular and collectively define a compartment ordrawer interior having an open top portion for enabling placement andremoval of intravenous solution bags within the drawers. Door 78includes a handle 79 typically disposed toward the door upper portion,whereby the handle may be implemented by any conventional or other typeof handle. Door 78 generally enables a corresponding drawer to pivotinto and out of the cabinet via a hinge (not shown), and furtherincludes a substantially rectangular opening 80 covered by asubstantially transparent material 82, such as glass, Plexiglas oracrylic, to serve as a window to enable viewing of the intravenoussolution bags and maintain heat within the cabinet. Divider walls aredisposed within each drawer interior to partition that interior intosub-compartments or bins 75 a, 75 b, 75 c. Temperature sensing devices8, substantially similar to the devices described above for FIG. 6, aredisposed within compartments 75 a, 75 b, 75 c of each drawer proximatematerial 82. The medical items within the compartments are in thermalrelation with the corresponding temperature sensing devices to enablethe devices to measure and display the item temperatures as describedabove. Material 82 is substantially transparent to enable viewing of thetemperature indications through the window.

[0063] A heating element or pad (not shown) is typically disposed on theunderside of each drawer bottom wall, whereby the heat applied by theheating pad is conducted by the drawer bottom, side, rear and dividerwalls to provide an even heat distribution to the intravenous solutionbags or other medical items residing in the sub-compartments of thatdrawer. In other words, each individual drawer sub-compartment includesbottom, side and rear walls that conduct and directly transmit heat fromthe heating pad to the intravenous solution bag contained in thatsub-compartment, thereby preventing other intravenous solution bagsresiding in the cabinet from being affected by the applied heat. Atemperature sensor (not shown) is typically disposed on the underside ofeach drawer bottom wall generally within the confines of thecorresponding heating pad (e.g., the portion of the heating pad notcovering the drawer bottom wall) to measure the temperature of thebottom wall.

[0064] In operation, an operator selects intravenous solution bags(e.g., containing intravenous solution) or other medical items forheating within the cabinet and determines appropriate temperatures forthe items. The operator subsequently selects a drawer 76 a, 76 b andenables a corresponding power switch 73, whereby the operator grasps andapplies force to handle 79 of the selected drawer to pivot that draweroutward from the cabinet interior to an open position. Intravenoussolution bags are disposed within any quantity (e.g., at least one) orcombination of corresponding drawer sub-compartments 75 a, 75 b, 75 csuch that any one sub-compartment contains a single intravenous solutionbag. The selected drawer is subsequently pivoted into the cabinetinterior to a closed position. The desired temperature is entered intocorresponding controller 72 via controller input devices or buttons. Thecontroller receives signals from the corresponding temperature sensorsand determines appropriate controls to enable or disable power to theassociated heating pad. The heating pad applies heat to thecorresponding drawer bottom wall, whereby the drawer rear, side anddivider walls conduct heat from the bottom wall to evenly distributeheat to the intravenous solution bags residing within the correspondingdrawer sub-compartments as described above.

[0065] Controller 72 displays the corresponding drawer bottom walltemperature measured by the temperature sensor, and may be directed toalternatively display the desired temperature based on manipulation ofcontroller input devices. Temperature sensing devices 8 measure anddisplay the medical item temperature during heating in substantially thesame manner described above. When the intravenous solution bags haveattained the desired temperature, the selected drawer is pivoted to anopen position as described above, whereby the heated bags are removedfrom sub-compartments of the selected drawer for use, while that draweris subsequently returned to a closed position. Further, additionalintravenous solution bags may replace the removed heated bags withinthose sub-compartments for heating by the system. The temperaturesensing strip may be disposed on or attached to a compartment windowinterior or exterior surface at any location, or may be disposed on orattached to any type of warmer or other thermal treatment system with orwithout temperature display capability at any suitable location toenable measurement and display of item temperature in substantially thesame manner described above.

[0066] The temperature sensing device may further be employed by variousstructures to facilitate measurement and display of medical itemtemperature. A temperature stand for measuring and displayingtemperature of medical items is illustrated in FIGS. 9-10. Specifically,a temperature stand 53 includes a base 54, a front panel 55, an itemsupport 56 and a rear support 57. Base 54 is substantially rectangularhaving front panel 55 and item support 56 extending from a base topsurface. The front panel is substantially rectangular having a widthdimension similar to that of the base and a length dimension slightlygreater than that of a medical item, such as solution bag 3. The frontpanel includes a tapered bottom edge and is attached to and extendsupward from a base front section at an angle slightly less than ninetydegrees to tilt rearward. A handle 59 is attached to an upper portion ofthe front panel exterior surface to enable a user to transport the standto various locations. Item support 56 is substantially rectangular andhas width and length dimensions similar to and a thickness dimensiongreater than the front panel. The item support includes a tapered bottomedge and is attached to and extends upward from a base intermediatesection substantially in parallel with the front panel. The item supportand front panel are separated by a distance to form a receiving area 51therebetween having sufficient dimensions for receiving a medical item,such as solution bag 3.

[0067] Temperature sensing device 8, substantially similar to the devicedescribed above for FIG. 6, is disposed within a substantially centralportion of front panel 55 to measure and display item temperature. Thetemperature sensing device is disposed on the front panel interiorsurface to enable an item placed in receiving area 51 to contact thedevice rear portion. Item support 56 and front panel 55 secure the itemwithin the receiving area and ensure contact with temperature sensingdevice 8. The front panel is constructed of substantially transparentmaterial to permit a temperature indication of the temperature sensingdevice to be viewed from the front of the stand. The distance betweenthe item support and front panel may be adjusted to accommodate variousmedical items (e.g., blankets, instruments, antibiotics, drugs, solutionbags (e.g., ½ liter, one liter, three liters, five liters, etc.),bottles (e.g., ½ liter, one liter, ½ liters, etc.) or other items thetemperature of which is desired).

[0068] Rear support 57 is substantially rectangular and has a widthdimension similar to that of the base. The rear support is attached tothe base rear edge and includes a ledge 49 extending transversely from arear support bottom edge. The rear support extends upward from andsubstantially perpendicular to the base and is attached to the itemsupport upper portion. The item support upper portion is truncated tofacilitate attachment to the rear support. The rear support providesenhanced stability to the stand for containing medical items.

[0069] Operation of the stand is now described. Initially, an item, suchas solution bag 3, may be removed from storage and/or thermally treatedin a thermal treatment system. The item is subsequently disposed inreceiving area 51 to ascertain its temperature. The item is forcedagainst temperature sensing device 8 by item support 56 and front panel55 as described above. The temperature sensing device measures anddisplays the item temperature as described above. When the item has anacceptable temperature, it may be removed and utilized. Otherwise, theitem may be placed in the thermal treatment system until an acceptabletemperature is attained.

[0070] It is to be understood that the temperature sensing device of thestand may be implemented by any of the temperature sensing stripsdescribed above or by various other mechanisms. For example, thetemperature sensing device may be implemented by a temperature sensor incombination with a liquid crystal display (LCD) to measure and displayitem temperature. This mechanism may include a battery and operate ondirect current (DC) voltage, and/or include a power cord for connectionto a common wall outlet jack and utilize alternating current (AC).Further, the temperature sensing device may include a temperature sensorand a voice or speech synthesizer to indicate temperature or to specifythat an item is below or exceeds a predetermined temperature. Moreover,the temperature sensing device may employ an analog or infraredtemperature sensor to measure the item temperature and convey thattemperature in any of the manners described above. In addition, thetemperature sensing device may employ any of the above temperaturesensing strips and/or mechanisms individually or in any combination tomeasure and display item temperatures.

[0071] A temperature plate for measuring and displaying item temperatureis illustrated in FIGS. 11A-11B. Specifically, a temperature plate 63includes a base 65 and a resilient securing member 66. Base 65 issubstantially rectangular and has securing member 66 attached theretovia fasteners, such as bolts 67. The securing member may be constructedof any suitable materials, and is substantially resilient to secure amedical item, such as solution bag 3, within a receiving area 71 definedbetween that member and the base. The securing member has longitudinaldimensions slightly less than those of the base and includes a mountingportion 68, an arcuate intermediate section 69, and a ledge 61. Thedimensions of the securing member enable heat to be retained withinreceiving area 71, thereby reducing heat loss by the item. Mountingportion 68 is disposed on the base top surface toward a base side edgeand is attached to the base via bolts 67. Arcuate section 69 is attachedto and extends from mounting portion 68 and is configured to contour theshape of the bag. Ledge 61 is attached to and transversely extends fromthe arcuate section distal end and serves as a gripping portion tomanipulate the securing member for access to the receiving area.

[0072] Temperature sensing device 8, substantially similar to the devicedescribed above for FIG. 6, is disposed toward a substantially centralportion of the securing member interior surface for contact with themedical item. Securing member 66 is substantially transparent to enablethe temperature indication of the temperature sensing device to beviewed through that member. The securing member presses the item againstbase 65, while forcing the temperature sensing device against the itemto facilitate a temperature measurement.

[0073] In operation, a medical item, such as solution bag 3, is removedfrom storage and/or thermally treated in a thermal treatment system. Theitem is subsequently placed within receiving area 71 by manipulatingsecuring member 66 via ledge 61. The securing member forces temperaturedevice 8 against the item, while pressing the item against the base. Thetemperature device measures the item temperature and displays it forviewing through the securing member. When the item has reached anacceptable temperature, the item may be removed from the plate for use.Otherwise, the item may be placed in the thermal treatment system untilthe item has attained an acceptable temperature. It is to be understoodthat the plate may utilize any of the temperature sensing strips ormechanisms described above to measure and display the item temperature.

[0074] The securing member may be adjusted or configured in variousfashions to accommodate items of various shapes and dimensions. Forexample, a temperature plate configured for bottles is illustrated inFIGS. 12A-12B. Specifically, plate 63 is substantially similar to theplate described above, except that securing member 66 is configured tosubstantially contour the shape of a bottle 5. Plate 63 includes base 65and securing member 66 attached to the base via bolts 67 as describedabove. Securing member 66 includes mounting portion 68 and ledge 61 asdescribed above, and a contour section 77 disposed between the mountingportion and ledge for contacting bottle 5. Contour section 77 is similarto arcuate section 69 described above, except that the contour portionincludes a truncated apex forming a plateau 81 to accommodate the shapeof the bottle. Temperature sensing device 8 is substantially centrallydisposed on the plateau interior surface to measure and display the itemtemperature. The temperature plate operates in substantially the samemanner described above for FIGS. 11A-11B to measure and display thetemperature of the bottle contents. It is to be understood that thetemperature plate may utilize any of the devices or mechanisms describedabove to measure and indicate an item temperature.

[0075] A temperature receptacle for measuring and displaying itemtemperature is illustrated in FIG. 13. Specifically, a temperaturereceptacle 83 includes front and rear walls 84, 85, bottom wall 86 andside walls 87, 88 that collectively define the receptacle interior. Thewalls are each substantially rectangular and have a height dimensionslightly greater than that of the item, such as bottle 5, being receivedin order to retain heat within the receptacle. Front wall 84 issubstantially transparent and includes temperature sensing device 8disposed on the front wall interior surface. The temperature sensingdevice is substantially similar to the device described above for FIG.6, and contacts a medical item within the receptacle interior to displaya measured temperature that may be viewed through front wall 84. Thereceptacle interior is configured to have dimensions sufficient to pressthe item against the temperature sensing device.

[0076] In operation, a medical item, such as bottle 5, is removed fromstorage and/or thermally treated within a thermal treatment system. Theitem is subsequently disposed within receptacle 83 and contactstemperature sensing device 8. The temperature sensing device measuresand displays an item temperature that is viewable through front wall 84.When the item reaches a desired temperature, it may be removed for use.Otherwise, the item may be placed in the thermal treatment system untilan acceptable temperature has been attained. It is to be understood thatthe receptacle may utilize any of the devices or mechanisms describedabove to measure and indicate an item temperature, and may be of anyshape or size to accommodate any medical items.

[0077] The temperature stand, plate and receptacle described above aretypically portable stand-alone units that may be placed on any suitablesurfaces (e.g., counters, tables, stands, etc.) and/or proximate variousthermal treatment systems. Alternatively, these structures may bemounted to walls or other support structures, or may be attached tovarious thermal treatment systems to provide a temperature measurementfor thermally treated items. A temperature stand attached to a warmingsystem, by way of example only, is illustrated in FIG. 14. Specifically,a warmer unit 90 includes a rear panel 91, two substantially similarside panels 92, 93, a top panel 96, a bottom panel 94 and a front panel95. The warmer unit may be of the types disclosed in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/413,532, entitled “Warming System and Method forHeating Various Items Utilized in Surgical Procedures” and filed Oct. 6,1999, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety. The top, side, front, rear and bottom panels are eachsubstantially rectangular and define a cabinet interior wherein variousmedical or other items may be heated. Warmer unit 90 includes acompartment 25 that is controlled by a corresponding process controller(not shown) to maintain a desired heating (i.e., temperature) range,whereby the compartment may be set and maintained at a desiredtemperature as described below. A series of substantially rectangularslots 11 are disposed toward the corners of top panel 96, while aplurality of substantially rectangular feet or tabs 17 extend from theproximity of the corners of bottom panel 94. Slots 11 include dimensionsslightly larger than feet 17 to enable feet 17 of warmer unit 90 to beinserted within slots 11 of a warmer unit disposed below warmer unit 90.This enables warmer units to be arranged in stack relation to formwarming systems or cabinets having a plurality of warmer units.

[0078] Front panel 95 includes a power switch 27 and a temperaturecontroller holder 26 typically disposed toward the upper portion of afront panel edge (e.g., the upper portion of a front panel rightmostedge as viewed in FIG. 14). Power switch 27 enables power to thecontroller and a fan disposed within the warmer unit to direct heatedair into the compartment to attain the desired temperature. Front panel95 further includes a door 28 that enables access to compartment 25. Asubstantially rectangular window 29, typically constructed of clearpolycarbonate or other transparent material, is disposed on the door andincludes dimensions slightly less than the door dimensions. The door ispreferably connected to front panel 95 via hinges (not shown) disposedtoward the door upper edges that enables the door to pivot upwardstoward top panel 96. Further, door 28 includes a handle 31 disposedbelow window 29 and extending along a window bottom edge. Door 28 istypically manipulated to an open position to enable a warmer unit trayor drawer 37 to access the compartment, whereby the drawer containsmedical items (e.g., solution bag 3) to be heated by the warmer unit.Temperature stand 53 may be attached to side wall 92 via any suitable orconventional techniques to receive an item for temperature measurement.The item may be thermally treated within system 90 and subsequentlyremoved for placement within the stand. The stand measures and displaysthe item temperature as described above.

[0079] The stand may be alternatively disposed on the warmer unit at anysuitable locations, such as top panel 96 as illustrated in FIG. 15.Further, the stand may be utilized as a stand-alone unit and be placedat any suitable location, preferably proximate the warmer unit asillustrated in FIG. 16.

[0080] Operation of the warmer unit and temperature stand is describedwith reference to FIGS. 14-16. Specifically, various medical items, suchas intravenous or irrigation fluids, blood, instruments or drugs, areselected to be placed within warmer unit 90. Door 28 is manipulated toan open position whereby a drawer may be retrieved from or inserted(e.g., if no drawer is present) into the compartment. The medical items,such as solution bag 3, are inserted into the drawer and the drawer isplaced into the compartment with the compartment door subsequentlymanipulated to a closed position. Power switch 27 is actuated to enableheating of the compartment. The controller is manipulated via displaybuttons to maintain the compartment at a desired temperature, andfurther displays the current compartment temperature. The drawer isretrieved from the compartment and the items are removed from the drawerfor placement in stand 53. The stand measures and displays the itemtemperature as described above. When the item reaches an acceptabletemperature, the item is removed from the stand for use. Otherwise, theitem is returned to the warmer unit for further thermal treatment. Theprocess is repeated until the item attains a desired temperature. Inaddition, the stand may be utilized to measure and display items nottreated by the warmer unit.

[0081] It is to be understood that the temperature plate and/orreceptacle may be utilized with the warmer unit in substantially thesame manner described above. Further, the stand, plate or receptacle maybe attached to or disposed proximate any type of thermal treatmentsystem to measure and display item temperature, such as systems of thetypes disclosed in the above-mentioned patent applications and U.S. Pat.No. 5,924,289 (Bishop, II), the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety. Alternatively, thermal treatmentsystems may treat the intravenous solution bags and/or bottles describedabove having temperature sensing strips to enable thermal treatmentsystems with or without temperature display capability to provide anindication of the temperature of the bag or bottle contents duringtreatment.

[0082] It will be appreciated that the embodiments described above andillustrated in the drawings represent only a few of the many ways ofimplementing a method and apparatus for monitoring temperature ofintravenously delivered fluids and other medical items.

[0083] The intravenous solution bags and medical bottles may contain anysterile intravenous fluid, such as saline solution, blood, antibioticsor other drugs, utilized for operating room procedures, administrationto patients in rooms, storage and/or administration from portable unitsor any other application. The intravenous solution bags and medicalbottles may be of any shape or size, may be constructed of any suitablematerials and may be suspended from any suitable structures via anysecuring mechanisms. The intravenous solution bags and bottles mayfurther be implemented by any type of container capable of storingsolutions or other medical items. The laminated layer may be of anyshape or size, may be constructed of any suitable materials, and may beattached to the intravenous solution bag via any conventional or otherfastening techniques. The liner may be of any shape or size suitable toencase the intravenous solution bag, may be constructed of any suitablematerials, and may be sealed via any conventional or other sealingtechniques. Alternatively, the liner may be constructed to enable thesolution bag conduits to interface an intravenous tube without having toopen the liner.

[0084] The temperature sensing strip may be implemented by anyconventional or other types of temperature strips. The temperaturesensing strip may be of any shape or size, may sense any desiredtemperatures, and may include any type of indicators (e.g., alphanumericor other characters) arranged in any fashion and representing anytemperature intervals or other information for any desired temperaturerange. The temperature strip may utilize any color scheme to illuminatethe indicators or to indicate whether or not the solution temperature iswithin particular ranges (e.g., above, within, or below a particulartemperature range). The temperature strip may be attached to, formedintegral with, or further serve as a label for any type of medical itemor container (e.g., blankets, instruments, intravenous solution bag,bottle, drugs/antibiotics, etc.). Any quantity of temperature strips maybe disposed on, attached to or formed integral with the intravenoussolution bag, liner, medical bottle, medical bottle label, pressurizedinfusion system components (e.g., infusion cuff, solution bagreceptacle, intravenous tube, etc.), thermal treatment system or anyother medical item or system at any location having sufficient proximityto the item being measured via any conventional or other fasteningtechniques. Medical items having the strip attached thereto may beutilized in any type of system (e.g., thermal treatment system, infusionsystem, etc.) to provide a temperature indication of the medical item.

[0085] The temperature stand and its components (e.g., base, frontpanel, item and rear supports, etc.) may be of any shape or size, andmay be constructed of any suitable materials. The temperature sensingdevice may be implemented by any quantity of the devices or mechanismsdescribed above, either individually or in any combination, and may bedisposed at any location on the stand having sufficient proximity to theitem being measured. The front panel or other components supporting thetemperature strip may have any portions thereof sufficiently transparentor translucent to enable viewing of the strip through those components.The stand may include any quantity of temperature sensing devices, andmay accommodate any quantity or types of medical or other items. Thestand may be adjusted or configured in any manner to accommodate medicalitems of any shape or size. The stand may include any type of handle orother gripping device disposed at any suitable location. The stand mayoperate as a stand-alone unit and be placed at any desired location, ormay be mounted to any system or supporting structure at any suitablelocation via any conventional or other fastening techniques. The frontpanel and item support may be tilted at any desired angle, where thetilting angles of the front panel and item support may be the same ordifferent. The stand may be oriented in any desired fashion to measureand display temperature of an item.

[0086] The temperature plate and its components (e.g., base, securingmember, etc.) may be of any shape or size, and may be constructed of anysuitable materials. The securing member may be attached to the base viaa hinge or other pivoting type mechanism and/or a lock mechanism toenable pivoting and locking of the securing member to secure a medicalitem within the plate. The temperature sensing device may be implementedby any quantity of the devices or mechanisms described above, eitherindividually or in any combination, and may be disposed at any locationon the plate having sufficient proximity to the item being measured. Thesecuring member or other components supporting the temperature strip mayhave any portions thereof sufficiently transparent or translucent toenable viewing of the strip through those components. The plate mayinclude any quantity of temperature sensing devices, and may accommodateany quantity or types of medical or other items. The plate may beadjusted or configured in any manner to accommodate medical items of anyshape or size. The plate may operate as a stand-alone unit and be placedat any desired location, or may be mounted to any system or supportingstructure at any suitable location via any conventional or otherfastening techniques. The plate may be oriented in any desired fashionto measure and display temperature of an item.

[0087] The temperature receptacle and its components (e.g., front, rear,bottom and side walls, etc.) may be of any shape or size, and may beconstructed of any suitable materials. The temperature sensing devicemay be implemented by any quantity of the devices or mechanismsdescribed above, either individually or in any combination, and may bedisposed at any location on the receptacle having sufficient proximityto the item being measured. The front wall or other componentssupporting the temperature strip may have any portions thereofsufficiently transparent or translucent to enable viewing of the stripthrough those components. The receptacle may include any quantity oftemperature sensing devices, and may accommodate any quantity or typesof medical or other items. The receptacle may be adjusted or configuredin any manner to accommodate medical items of any shape or size. Thereceptacle may operate as a stand-alone unit and may be placed at anydesired location, or may be mounted to any system or supportingstructure at any suitable location via any conventional or otherfastening techniques. The receptacle may be oriented in any desiredfashion to measure and display temperature of an item.

[0088] It is to be understood that the terms “top”, “bottom”, “upper”,“lower”, “right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “length”, “width”,“height”, “thickness”, “front”, “back”, “rear”, “side” and the like areused herein merely to describe points of reference and do not limit thepresent invention to any specific configuration or orientation.

[0089] The temperature sensing device may alternatively be implementedby any type of temperature measuring device (e.g., preferably thosecapable of measuring temperature without directly contacting containercontents) and/or display. For example, the temperature sensing devicemay be implemented by a temperature sensor in combination with a liquidcrystal display (LCD) to measure and display item temperature. Thismechanism may include a battery and operate on direct current (DC)voltage, and/or include a power cord for connection to a common walloutlet jack and utilize alternating current (AC). Further, thetemperature sensing device may be implemented by a temperature sensorand a voice or speech synthesizer to indicate temperature or to specifythat an item is below or exceeds a predetermined temperature (e.g.,provide an audio indication, such as “too hot”, “too cold”, etc.).Moreover, the temperature sensing device may employ an analog orinfrared temperature sensor, or devices measuring temperature via sound,ultra-sonic or other waves, and convey that temperature in any of themanners described above. In addition, the temperature sensing device maybe implemented by any of the above temperature sensing strips and/ormechanisms individually or in any combination to measure and displayitem temperatures, and may be utilized with any of the above-describedor other devices, systems or structures.

[0090] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limitedto the specific applications, items or embodiments disclosed herein, butpertains to any temperature sensing device or structure that receives anintravenous solution bag, medical bottle or other article containing asolution, or any other medical or non-medical item and provides a visualor other indication of item temperature for administration, thermaltreatment or other application of the item.

[0091] From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that theinvention makes available a novel method and apparatus for monitoringtemperature of intravenously delivered fluids and other medical itemswherein temperature sensing devices may be attached to medical itemsand/or structures to measure and provide a visual indication of medicalitem temperature.

[0092] Having described preferred embodiments of a new and improvedmethod and apparatus for monitoring temperature of intravenouslydelivered fluids and other medical items, it is believed that othermodifications, variations and changes will be suggested to those skilledin the art in view of the teachings set forth herein. It is therefore tobe understood that all such variations, modifications and changes arebelieved to fall within the scope of the present invention as defined bythe appended claims.

1-46. (Canceled).
 47. A medical device for visually indicating atemperature of a medical item placed therein comprising: a base and atleast first and second panels attached to said base; a receptacledefined between said first and second panels for receiving said medicalitem within said base, wherein said medical item has a particulartemperature range for utilization; and a temperature sensor assembly todirectly measure medical item temperature and visually indicate saidmeasured medical item temperature.
 48. The medical device of claim 47wherein said temperature sensor assembly includes a temperature sensordisposed within said first panel to directly measure said medical itemtemperature.
 49. The medical device of claim 48 wherein said receptacleis configured to enable said medical item to be in thermal relation withsaid temperature sensor in said first panel to facilitate temperaturemeasurement.
 50. The medical device of claim 47 wherein said temperaturesensor assembly includes a plurality of temperature sensitive substanceseach associated with a corresponding temperature range, wherein eachsaid substance is responsive to a temperature of said medical item andprovides a visual indication of said medical item temperature when saidmedical item temperature is within said corresponding temperature range.51. The medical device of claim 47 wherein said temperature sensorassembly includes a temperature sensing strip providing a digitalindication of said medical item temperature.
 52. The medical device ofclaim 47 wherein said temperature sensor assembly includes a display tovisually indicate said medical item temperature.
 53. The medical deviceof claim 47 wherein said first panel includes a handle to facilitatetransport and handling of said medical device.
 54. The medical device ofclaim 47 wherein said medical device is attached to a support structure.55. The medical device of claim 47 wherein said medical device isattached to a thermal treatment system.
 56. The medical device of claim52 wherein said display includes a liquid crystal display.
 57. Themedical device of claim 47 wherein said temperature sensor assemblyincludes a voice synthesizer to provide an audio indication of saidmedical item temperature.
 58. The medical device of claim 47 whereinsaid temperature sensor assembly includes an infra-red temperaturesensor.
 59. A method of visually indicating a temperature of a medicalitem placed in a medical device, wherein said medical device includes abase and at least first and second panels attached to said base and areceptacle defined between said first and second panels, said methodcomprising the steps of: (a) receiving said medical item within saidreceptacle defined between said first and second panels of said device,wherein said medical item has a particular temperature range forutilization; and (b) directly measuring medical item temperature andproviding a visual indication of said measured medical item temperaturevia a temperature sensor assembly.
 60. The method of claim 59 whereinsaid temperature sensor assembly includes a temperature sensor disposedwithin said first panel, and step (b) further includes: (b.1) directlymeasuring said medical item temperature via said temperature sensor. 61.The method of claim 59 wherein said receptacle is configured to enablesaid medical item to be in thermal relation with said temperature sensorin said first panel to facilitate temperature measurement.
 62. Themethod of claim 59 wherein said temperature sensor assembly includes aplurality of temperature sensitive substances each associated with acorresponding temperature range, wherein each said substance isresponsive to a temperature of said medical item, and step (b) furtherincludes: (b.1) measuring and visually indicating said medical itemtemperature via each temperature sensitive substance when said medicalitem temperature is within a corresponding temperature range of thatsubstance.
 63. The method of claim 59 wherein said temperature sensorassembly includes a temperature sensing strip, and step (b.1) furtherincludes: (b.1.1) measuring said medical item temperature and providinga digital indication of said measured temperature via said temperaturesensing strip.
 64. The method of claim 59 wherein said temperaturesensor assembly includes a display, and step (b) further includes: (b.1)visually indicating said medical item temperature via said display. 65.The method of claim 59 wherein said first panel includes a handle, andstep (a) further includes: (a.1) transporting and handling said medicaldevice via said handle.
 66. The method of claim 59 wherein step (a)further includes: (a.1) attaching said medical device to a supportstructure.
 67. The method of claim 59 wherein step (a) further includes:(a.1) attaching said medical device to a thermal treatment system. 68.The method of claim 59 wherein step (b) further includes: (b.1)providing an audio indication of said medical item temperature via avoice synthesizer.